A Video Based Training in Communication Skills for Physicians

The aim of an "intensive training course in communication skills for physicians" is to train the perception of behaviour and of emotions in the doctor-patient communication. Core elements of the training are role plays on topics perceived as difficult and brought in by participants. From the group discussions arises a rich array of observations. The identical reproduction of a situation in time and space by means of video permits a variety of ways to check the perception of a situation and the communication skills. The approach is illustrated by an example taken from one exercise. 26 physicians participated in three courses. The repetition of the scene played at the first day is repeated with the same actors at the end of a training. Progress can be measured by comparing the two scenes. An evaluation by means of a structured questionnaire was carried out at the end of the training, after three and twelve months. The higher degree of self confidence on the part of the physicians could be seen from the analysis of the videos, from the comparison of the two videos and also from the questionnaires. Training by means of video takes time and energy. From the view of the authors and also from the participants this didactic approach to training is very effective. The training can be a building block towards a better care for patients.